لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ 5
Translations
His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. And to Allāh are returned [all] matters.
Transliteration
Lahu mulku as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ila Allah turja'u al-umur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty over the heavens and the earth, establishing that all dominion belongs exclusively to Him. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that just as Allah possesses complete ownership of creation, all affairs ultimately return to Him for judgment and resolution, reinforcing His omnipotence and the futility of worldly powers. This declaration serves as a foundational principle in Islamic theology, countering any notion of shared divinity or independent authority among creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hadid is a Medinan surah revealed during the period of Islamic consolidation. This particular ayah appears within a section emphasizing Allah's attributes and sovereignty, providing reassurance to the Muslim community about the ultimate control of affairs despite worldly challenges. The broader context addresses themes of belief, the transience of life, and trust in Divine providence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise belongs to Allah), and the best remembrance is 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no deity except Allah)' - emphasizing Allah's unique dominion. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that hearts are between two fingers of Allah, highlighting His complete control over all matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should recognize that worldly power and possessions are temporary trusts from Allah, not permanent acquisitions, and should conduct themselves with accountability knowing all affairs ultimately return to their Creator for divine judgment. This cultivates humility, ethical responsibility, and reliance on Allah rather than material or human authority.
Related Ayahs
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ
And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [exalted is He] at night and when you are at noon.
أَمْ عِندَهُمْ خَزَآئِنُ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْوَهَّابِ
Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا۟ غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا۟ وَمَا قُتِلُوا۟ لِيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allāh makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allāh who gives life and causes death, and Allāh is Seeing of what you do.